Liberty and Justice for All

Floor Speech

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Mr. GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise in the name of liberty and justice for all. I rise in the name of liberty and justice for all because the criminal justice system is on trial. It is on trial in the court of world opinion. It is on trial for crimes committed against human beings in this country.

Some of the complainants would include Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd.

I rise in the name of liberty and justice for all because we have reached a point in our history wherein there is one case now that seems to have reached the pinnacle of the system, such that everyone is waiting to see how this case will eventually address liberty and justice for all.

One of the complaints is that in this country we have allowed arresting officers, that we confer enormous power on, literally, the power to execute when necessary.

But the question is: Will these arresting officers not only have the power to arrest, but also the power to be judge, jury, prosecutor, and executioner?

This is the question before the court of world opinion.

We have a case that embraces decades, perhaps even centuries of misdeeds. My hope is that we will receive a just ruling. My prayer is that, if there is not a just ruling, we will have peaceful protests. I believe in peaceful protests. I have gone to jail participating in peaceful protests. I have gone to jail with John Lewis participating in peaceful protests. Twice, he and I were jailed together.

So I rise in the name of liberty and justice for all, understanding that we have an opportunity now to demonstrate to the world that we will not allow an arresting officer to be judge, jury, prosecutor, and executioner. But I also understand, given the history of this country, unfortunately, that things don't always work out as I believe they should.

So my hope is that there will be peaceful protests, but I do hope that the protests will take place if there is not a just verdict. There is nothing wrong with peaceful protests in this country. There is nothing wrong with confronting injustice in this country. There is nothing wrong with standing up for the rights of those who are being denied liberty and justice for all in this country.

I want to see peaceful protests if the wrong verdict is rendered. And, in my opinion, the verdict that we should have is arresting officers can't be judge, jury, prosecutor, and executioner. There are those who would say that I don't have the right to come to these conclusions at this time, and they are wrong.

In the court of public opinion, world opinion, many have already come to this same conclusion. I am merely echoing what they have said. As such, I am a messenger, and the message is: Let's pray for a just decision in the court of world opinion.

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